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Işık S, Çağlayan-Sözmen Ş, Asilsoy S, Kılıçarslan SK, Anal Ö, Karaman Ö, Uzuner N. Knowledge levels related to allergen specific immunotherapy and perspectives of parents whose children were diagnosed with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis in Turkey. Turk J Pediatr 2018; 60: 50-55. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the knowledge levels and perspectives about allergen specific immunotherapy (ASI) of parents whose children were diagnosed with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis with positive skin prick test. The study was conducted between September 2014 and January 2015. Surveys that were filled by 198 parents were analyzed. One hundred-ninety-eight parents were included in the study; 42.9% of the parents had knowledge about ASI. Parents obtained information about the ASI from respectively pediatric allergy specialists (25.5%), relatives and friends (17.8%), media (12.9%), and pediatrician (8.2%). There is a strong association between educational level of the mother, atopy background of the family, the monthly per capita income, and having knowledge about the ASI. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that individuals with a monthly income higher than 2,000 TL were more likely to be aware of the ASI application (OR: 4.35, 95% CI: 1.13-16.71; p < 0.05). Eighty-nine percent of the parents stated that they would prefer the sublingual ASI instead of subcutaneous ASI because it is easy to use and its severe side effects risk is low. The awareness of the ASI is at high rates in our patient population.

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a group education program on asthma control for children with uncontrolled asthma. Patients were randomized to receive 1-hour group education program with their parents or usual care. Our primary outcome was the change in asthma control test (ACT) between baseline and month 3 and secondary outcomes were health care utilizations and self report of exacerbations of asthma symptoms and missed school days. Change of ACT between baseline and 1st month and 3rd month was not significant in education and usual care groups. Health care utilizations and self reported exacerbations in the study groups were similar while missed school days were significantly higher in usual care group. The results of the study suggest that group education may play a useful role in the management of children with uncontrolled asthma but it is not significantly effective when compared with usual care.

Cross-reactivity has important consequences in some immune disorders, including allergic and autoimmune diseases, which can affect both diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. One of the most common cross-reactivity syndromes is pollen-food syndrome (PFS). The patient is sensitized with pollen by the airways and exhibits an allergic reaction to food antigen with a structural similarity to the pollen. PFS usually presents with pruritus and swelling of the mouth and throat during or just after ingestion of fresh, uncooked fruits and vegetables. Latex fruit syndrome is another cross-reactivity syndrome. It is the association of latex allergy and allergy to plant foods, which affects up to 50% of latex-allergic patients. Here, we present two cases with crossreactivity syndrome.